My iPod crashed – long story, not terribly interesting – and I have to rebuild. A good opportunity to bring some theology to my music. Here's my opening salvo; I could use your help for more.
Is That All There Is? – Peggy Lee. My history of religion professor said this was one question asked by all religions. Of course, he also referred to the 1969 recording as a “recent song” which was doddering commonplace at Victoria College, University of Toronto, in the early 80s.
Mother's Little Helper – Rolling Stones. Before they were caricatures of themselves, they were great social critics: “The pursuit of happiness just seems a bore.” Is that all there is, my friend? They also have this other song with the lyrics: “Pleased to meet you/ Hope you guess my name/ But what's puzzling you/ Is the nature of my game.”
That Jews and Jesus song by Kinky Friedman. An attack on rednecks which strikes me as egregious, but fun. This is in the same tradition as Jesus Was A Capricorn by Kris Kristofferson and Jesus Was A Terrorist by The Dead Kennedys and Jesus Thinks You Are A Jerk by Frank Zappa – songs that take Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, quite seriously and expose the myriad hypocrisies of the church and society. On second thought, best to not include these – can only lead to upsetting the safety zone.
Jesus Is Just Alright With Me – The Doobie Brothers. I'm beginning to expose my age, I must pretend to know something that was released in the past decade. This song? Not a lot of theology, I'll grant you, but a cute anthem none-the-less.
God Walks Among Us Now (Jesus Song No. 6) – The Flaming Lips. “Used to be all right/ But things got strange/ Used to take all night/ But things've changed and God walks among us now.” From their lips …
I Believe In Jesus – Donna Summers. Spiritually ecstatic – not quite the material of her disco fame. “And I'm going to heaven by and by 'cause I already been through hell.” A strange song; but heartfelt.
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For – U2. My apologies for including the song that launched a billion, at least, sermons, of which I heard one and it over-reached and I've read a half dozen over the years and they've been gear-grinders, but it's a great song that expresses a profound spiritual yearning and we can't go around judging great works of art by their mediocre commentators, that would be like judging the Saviour by his followers, and, of course, there's Larry Mullen's drum and Adam Clayton's bass.
Every Grain of Sand – Bob Dylan. When I was a lay minister I used to listen to this every Sunday morning before heading to church: The greatest prayer ever set to music; a deep, dark meditation that scrapes the soul. There are no secrets between the devout and God. And there is no despair in that relationship. I don't listen to this as often as I once did; I find it too powerful. I was younger then, and stronger. I'm older now and too responsible.
Solid Rock and Saved – Bob Dylan. That cassette (what's that?) I made with the song above also included these two to pull me out of my confession.
Wilderness – Joy Division. Another track from my wayward youth.
Suzanne – Leonard Cohen. I have no idea what this song is about and have never understood the Jesus verse. I keep listening to it, the way Dustin Hoffman recited the Who's On First routine in Rain Man, as if it's some code I need to break. Maybe one day.
Can't Tell Me Nothing – Kanye West. Hah, you thought I'd pick Jesus Walks, which is a fine song. But, this one is plain straight honest without the moral indignation. I mean, we're talking songs, not sermons. That's my other iPod and its fine.
Add to this list by writing to letters@pccweb.ca/presbyterianrecord. Also, Faiz uses poetic license: he has only one iPod.
